Physical and biochemical studies on excess weight-induced rats maintained on mixed spices-supplemented diet

The research was conducted to assess some growth and biochemical changes in excess weightinduced male Wistar rats maintained on mixed spices-supplemented salty diet. The spices (onions, garlic, ginger and cloves) were separately pulverized and thereafter mixed in ratio of 1:2:2:2 respectively. Eight (8) Wistar rats (151.01±1.12 g) were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) of four (4) rats each with nearly equal average weight. Three experimental diets, A, B and B* were formulated. Diet A was 100% starter’s mash (control diet) while Diet B was 6% salt of starter’s mash and B* was 2% mixed spices of diet B. The rats in groups A and B were maintained on their experimental diets (Diet A and Diet B respectively) ad libitum for four weeks. Diet B was then removed and replaced with diet B* and maintained on this diet ad libitum and the feeding trial continued for another three weeks. Growth, hematological and lipid profiles, and transaminase enzyme activities in the rats were determined. There was no significant variation (p>0.05) in the feed intake between the group maintained on 6% salty diet (76.40±3.20 g) and the control (82.93±4.24 g). Feed conversion ratio (5.69±1.13) was significantly lower while the average weekly weight gain (15.92±2.39 g) was significantly higher in the group maintained on 6% salty diet when compared with the group on control diet. Supplementation of diet B with 2% mixed spices (Diet B*) caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in weight gain (6.19±2.01g) and increase in feed conversion ratio (15.99±4.23) in excess-weight induced rats. Excess-weight induced rats (Group B) maintained on 2% mixed spices of diet B had significantly (P<0.05) higher PCV (41.33) and Hb (13.77), but there was no significant (P>0.05) change in RBC (3.10), WBC (3.43) and Platelet (468.67) when compared with the control. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride were not significantly affected. The concentration of ALT was significantly (p< 0.05) higher in serum (36.67 ±1.45 U/L) and liver (45.00 ±2.65 U/L), but lower in heart (24.67 ±1.76 U/L) and kidney (8.67 ±0.33 U/L) of excess-weight induced rats (Group B) maintained on 2% mixed spices of diet B. AST however, increased (p< 0.05) in kidney (24.67±1.764 U/L). Therefore, 2% supplementation of metabolic disease-causing diets with mixed spices (onions, garlic, ginger and cloves) may have positive effects on reversal of excess weight gain, lipid metabolism, blood formation and organ protection in subjects fed on the diets.Keywords: Mixed-spices; Excess weight-induced; Biochemical; Hematology; Transaminase; Lipi

Physicochemical Assessment of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with a Mixture of Ginger, Garlic and Cinnamon

Some physicochemical changes in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with a mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon was evaluated. During starter phase, 150 broiler chicks were divided into groups A and B of 75 birds each, and were randomly fed diets 1 and 2 respectively for 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by the chickens maintained on the mixed spices supplemented diet (235.15±15.55g) was significantly lower (p<0.05)compared with the weight gain by the control (274.26±20.23g) in the Starter phase. In the Finisher phase, group A was sub-divided into groups C and D while group B was subdivided into groups E and F and fed for additional 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by groups C (242.31±4.97g), D (282.46±15.04g), E (260.14±81.11g) and F (236.67±24.29g) did not vary significantly. The evaluated carcass characteristics and haematological indices when compared with the control did not vary significantly. The serum cholesterol levels (mg/dl) in groups D (101.40±4.13), E (106.60±4.59) and F (100.20±9.83) were significantly lower (p<0.05) in comparison with the level in group C (127.00±8.83). Groups E (46.96±8.62mg/dl) and F (47.44±6.35mg/dl) had significantly (p<0.05) lower LDL-C compared with the control (70.56±8.75mg/dl). Therefore, mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon may have no effects on the overall weight gain, carcass traits and haematological profiles but could decrease the risk of atherogenesis and CVD in broiler chickens. Keywords: Cinnamon; ginger; garlic; spices; physicochemica

HIV infection among pregnant women in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors for HIV among pregnant women (N = 2657) receiving antenatal services in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria. METHODS: Information about potential risk factors was obtained at interview. Biological samples were collected for detection of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). RESULTS: The prevalence of HIV was 8.2%. Women aged 20-29 years had more than 4-fold increased risk of HIV. Women of Catholic (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.01-2.95) and Pentecostal (AOR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.46-4.52) denominations were more likely to be HIV-infected when compared to Moslem women. The risk of HIV was also increased among women with multiple marriages and in women married to a banker/accountant. Other predictors of HIV were having a husband with other partners, perceived risk of HIV, STIs, candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. CONCLUSIONS: Development of effective interventions, including behavioral change, expansion of perinatal HIV prevention services and STI control, should be given the highest priority